WJPA Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cristopher Sánchez returned to form after a couple of shaky outings, allowing only three hits in seven innings as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-0. Sánchez (10-3) struck out nine and walked only two in becoming the first pitcher this season to reach 10 wins. Sánchez was supported by rookie Justin Crawford’s two-run single in the second inning, then a three-run seventh inning outburst that included an RBI double by Trea Turner and RBI single by Bryce Harper. Pittsburgh starter Bubba Chandler (3-8) pitched well into the seventh inning, but couldn’t escape the Philadelphia rally. Early on, he was undone only by No. 9 hitter Crawford.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — The U.S. team spent Monday like millions of other interested followers of the World Cup. The players watched thrilling games from other venues that included a major upset with Germany falling to Paraguay, three games that went down to the wire and two nervy shootouts. Then the reality quickly set in that they would soon be back in the spotlight themselves. The U.S. has a round of 32 matchup against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday that will go a long way to determining how successful this World Cup will be.

LeBron James will not be back with the Los Angeles Lakers and plans to play a record-extending 24th NBA season elsewhere. His decision is perhaps the biggest domino that will fall during the NBA’s offseason player movement window, alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo being traded by Milwaukee to Miami — one of James’ former stops. The Lakers released a statement Tuesday thanking James for his eight seasons with the club. James can begin talking officially to new clubs after 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, when the league’s free agent period opens. He will not be able to sign with a new team until July 6.

LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6) 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in her first professional singles match in nearly four years in the opening round of Wimbledon. The 44-year-old Williams showed off the same powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes that led her to 23 Grand Slam singles titles — seven of them at Wimbledon — but Joint was able to handle the American standout’s pace and win the big points by moving Williams around on Centre Court. Williams played two doubles matches just before Wimbledon to announce her comeback to the sport she once dominated but she hadn’t played a singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open.